Method of multiplex/demultiplex processing of information and equipment for performing the method

Abstract

An information processing system includes a transmitter, which converts parallel information to serial, and a receiver, which receives the serial information and reconverts the same to parallel for use by a further processing unit. Structure is provided to eliminate a requirement for a separate transmission line for transmission of a synchronization signal for synchronizing the receiver to function properly in receiving information. More coupling points are provided at the transmitter than at the receiver, for coupling information into the serial information path. The additional coupling points are used to transmit flag information together with the data being transmitted, the flag information being used to produce a detection signal. The detection signal is used to gate the received signals from a receiving signal path to various storage devices, thus converting the received serial information to parallel form in response to the flag signals which are serially transmitted together with the data.

We claim: 
     
       1. A method of information multiplex processing, comprising: conversion of information signals represented in parallel into information signals propagating serially along a first energy propagation path with predetermined mutual time distances,   conversion of a plurality of information signals transmitted serially along a second energy propagation path with predetermined mutual distances into information signals in parallel,   brief transmission of electric energy to predetermined locations along the first energy propagation path at points of time representing a variation between differences in arrival times for a pair of serial information signals on the first energy propagation path provided at respective locations and the propagation time between the same two locations, respectively,   registering energy states at a plurality of locations along the second energy propagation path at points of time representing the difference between the arrival times of a pair of information signals at a pair of respective locations along the second energy propagation path,   said first energy propagation path and said second energy propagation path being operatively interconnected,   the number of locations on the first energy propagation path being larger than the number of locations on the second energy propagation path,   using some of the locations on the first energy propagation path for transmission of flag information signals serially with the information signals, and receiving and using flag information signals for producing a detection signal transmitted with a certain propagation rate to gate means connected to respective locations of the second energy propagation path.   
     
     
       2. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the information signals are substantially represented by a single electric oscillation with a narrow frequency spectrum. PG,21 
     
     
       3. A transmitter circuit for converting information signals represented in parallel into information signals capable of serial propagation along an energy propagation path with predetermined mutual time distances therebetween, a plurality of coupling points being positioned along the energy propagation path, each of said coupling points being designed to receive, via a respective gate circuit in response to gate signals, an energy amount defining an information signal represented in parallel, means for producing and transmitting the gate signals so that said energy amounts are briefly transferred to respective coupling points at points of time representing the time difference between the predetermined mutual time distance between a pair of information signals provided at respective coupling points and the propagation time between the same two coupling points, respectively, wherein:   additional coupling points are positioned along the energy propagation path for receiving, via respective additional gate circuits in response to additional gate signals, additional energy amounts defining flag signals to enable synchronized reception of the transmitted information signals, thereby eliminating a need for a separate synchronization line,   the energy propagation path comprises a microstrip circuit means for support of microwave energy with a narrow frequency spectrum, and   one end of the energy propagation path is terminated reflection-free, the other end of the path being coupled to a microwave transmission line.   
     
     
       4. A receiver circuit for conversion of a plurality of information signals transmitted serially along an energy propagation path with predetermined mutual time distances into information signals in parallel, comprising a plurality of signal taps along the energy propagation path, each of said signal taps being connected to a respective detector circuit, and a trigger circuit to produce and transmit a detection signal for the detector circuit so that an energy state at the signal taps is registered at points of time representing the difference between the arrival times of a pair of information signals at a pair of respective signal taps along the energy propagation path, characterized in that the energy propagation path comprises a microstrip circuit for support of microwave energy with a narrow frequency spectrum, and that one end of the energy propagation path is coupled to a microwave transmission line, the other end of the energy propagation path being coupled to said trigger circuit. 
     
     
       5. A circuit according to claim 3, characterized in that each of said coupling point comprises a plurality of evenly distributed directional couplers connected to respective drive circuits. 
     
     
       6. A circuit according to claim 5, wherein each of said directional couplers is characterized by a coupling coefficient, the coupling coefficients for said directional couplers increasing along a direction toward the other end of the energy propagation path. 
     
     
       7. A circuit according to claim 5, characterized in that each drive circuit comprises an electronic switch with two inputs, one of said inputs being connected to a respective data source, the other of said inputs, for all switches, being connected to respective taps along an internal transmission line. 
     
     
       8. A circuit according to claim 7, characterized in that the internal transmission line is a step-shaped microstrip which is stepped opposite each of said taps to the electronic switches. 
     
     
       9. A circuit according to claim 4, characterized in that said taps comprise a plurality of evenly distributed directional couplers which are each connected to one input of an associated gate circuit, another input of said gate circuits being connected to taps along an internal transmission line having an input end connected to an output of said trigger circuit. 
     
     
       10. A circuit according to claim 9, wherein each of said directional couplers is characterized by a coupling coefficient, the coupling coefficients for said directional couplers increasing along a direction toward the trigger circuit. 
     
     
       11. A circuit according to claim 9, characterized in that the internal transmission line is a step-shaped microstrip which is stepped opposite each tap to the respective gate circuits. 
     
     
       12. A circuit according to claim 9, characterized in that an output of the gate circuits is connected to respective resonator and integrating detector circuits. 
     
     
       13. A circuit according to claim 4, characterized in that the energy propagation path comprises a delay path, having one end coupled to said microwave transmission line and to a regulating circuit, and another end connected to a row of said signal taps along the energy propagation path via an adjustable amplifier which is controlled by said regulating circuit. 
     
     
       14. A circuit according to claim 9, characterized in that the energy propagation path comprises a delay path, whose one end is coupled to said microwave transmission line and to a regulating circuit, wherein the regulating circuit is also connected to an output end of said internal transmission line. 
     
     
       15. A data transmission system comprising: means for converting information signals represented in parallel into information signals capable of propagating serially along a first energy propagation path with predetermined mutual time distances therebetween, means for conversion of information signals transmitted serially along a second energy propagation path with predetermined mutual time distances into parallel information signals,   a plurality of coupling points along the first energy propagation path, each of said coupling points being designed to receive an energy amount defining an information signal represented in parallel via a respective gate circuit in response to gate signals,   means for producing and transmitting the gate signals so that said energy amounts are briefly transferred to respective coupling points at points of time representing the time difference between the predetermined mutual time distance between a pair of information signals provided at respective coupling points and the propagation time of the signals between the same two coupling points, respectively,   a plurality of signal taps along the second energy propagation path, each of said signal taps being connected to a respective detector circuit,   means for producing and transmitting a detection signal for a detection means operating with said means for conversion so that energy states at the signal taps are registered at points of time representing a difference between arrival times of a pair of information signals at a pair of respective signal taps along the second energy propagation path,   characterized in that the number of locations on the first energy propagation path being larger than the number of locations on the second energy propagation path,   using some of the locations on the first energy propagation path for transmission of flag information signals serially with the information signals, a circuit being provided in connection with the second energy propagation path to receive the flag information signals and to produce, in response thereto, said detection signal for the detector means.   
     
     
       16. A system according to claim 15, characterized in that part of the first energy propagation path and part of the second energy propagation path comprise geometrically identical microstrip circuits, and that the first energy propagation path moreover comprises microstrip circuits for transmission of flag information signals serially with the data signals, the second energy propagation path comprising an adjustable amplifier and a trigger circuit disposed at opposite ends of said part of the second energy propagation path. 
     
     
       17. A system according to claim 16, characterized in that the microstrip circuits are designed to support electromagnetic signals with a relatively narrow frequency spectrum. 
     
     
       18. A system according to claim 15, characterized by a transmission bus common to a plurality of energy propagation paths, all associated first energy propagation paths being coupled to the bus via uniformly oriented first directional couplers, all associated second energy propagation paths being coupled to the bus via second directional couplers oppositely oriented with respect to the first directional couplers. 
     
     
       19. A circuit according to claim 13, characterized in that the regulating circuit is also connected to an output end of said microwave transmission line.